MI Vet Tech cheat sheet

Drug dose formula: Dose (mg) = (Desired dose in mg/kg) × (Body weight in kg). Always verify weight in kilograms before calculating.

Concentration formula: Volume (mL) = Dose (mg) ÷ Concentration (mg/mL). Example: 10 mg ÷ 5 mg/mL = 2 mL.

C1V1 = C2V2 is used for dilutions: C1 = stock concentration, V1 = stock volume, C2 = final concentration, V2 = final volume.

Controlled substances (Schedule II–V) require DEA registration, secure storage, and a log of receipt, administration, and waste; federal law supersedes state law when stricter.

Vincristine is fatal if given intrathecally; it must be administered IV only, and many practices use a separate route-specific label and syringe to prevent error.

NSAID classes: COX-1 sparing (carprofen, meloxicam) versus COX-2 selective (firocoxib, robenacoxib). Cats have limited glucuronidation and require species-specific dosing.

Antibiotic stewardship: culture and susceptibility testing before empirical use; avoid fluoroquinolones in growing animals and enrofloxacin in cats above 5 mg/kg/day due to retinal toxicity risk.

Common antidotes: naloxone for opioids, atipamezole for alpha-2 agonists, flumazenil for benzodiazepines, N-acetylcysteine for acetaminophen, and vitamin K1 for anticoagulant rodenticides.

Parenteral routes: IV (fastest, 100% bioavailability), IM (depot, variable absorption), SC (slower, larger volumes), and oral (first-pass metabolism, variable absorption).

ASA physical status: I = healthy; II = mild systemic disease; III = moderate systemic disease; IV = severe systemic disease; V = moribund; E = emergency suffix.

Anesthesia machine check: verify oxygen supply and cylinder pressure, vaporizer level, soda lime color and fill, breathing circuit integrity, unidirectional valves, and leak test before every procedure.

MAC (minimum alveolar concentration) is the alveolar concentration preventing movement in 50% of patients; isoflurane MAC in dogs is approximately 1.3%, sevoflurane approximately 2.3%.

Premedication classes: opioid (analgesia), alpha-2 agonist (sedation, analgesia), benzodiazepine (muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant), and anticholinergic (bradycardia prevention).

Surgical asepsis: sterile gown and gloves, cap, mask, and shoe covers; the circulating nurse remains unsterile and handles supplies outside the sterile field.

Surgical scrub: chlorhexidine gluconate or povidone-iodine applied in concentric circles from the incision site outward; scrub time is typically 3–5 minutes.

Instrument categories: cutting (scalpel, scissors), grasping (forceps, towel clamps), hemostatic (artery forceps, hemostats), retracting (Gelpi, Balfour), and suturing (needle holders).

Suture selection: absorbable (poliglecaprone 25, polyglactin 910) versus nonabsorbable (nylon, polypropylene); monofilament reduces bacterial adherence compared with multifilament.

Recovery monitoring: extubate when swallowing reflex and jaw tone return; monitor temperature, pulse oximetry, and respiration every 5–15 minutes until sternal.

Dental formula: dog permanent = 2 × (I 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/3) = 42 teeth; cat permanent = 2 × (I 3/3, C 1/1, P 3/2, M 1/1) = 30 teeth.

Periodontal disease staging: Stage 1 = gingivitis only; Stage 2 = <25% attachment loss; Stage 3 = 25–50%; Stage 4 = >50% attachment loss.

Dental radiography: bisecting angle technique for maxillary and mandibular teeth; parallel technique for mandibular premolars and molars.

Dental charting uses the Modified Triadan system: 100 series = right maxilla, 200 = left maxilla, 300 = left mandible, 400 = right mandible.

Dental scaling must be followed by polishing and irrigation; ultrasonic scalers require water coolant to prevent thermal damage to the tooth.

Extraction forceps and elevators: elevators sever the periodontal ligament, forceps deliver the tooth; never apply excessive force to the crown of a deciduous tooth.

Anesthesia for dentistry: intubate with a cuffed endotracheal tube and pack the pharynx with gauze to prevent aspiration of debris and water.

Common oral pathology: periodontal disease, tooth resorption (feline), fractured teeth with pulp exposure, and oral masses; any pulp exposure requires treatment or extraction.

PCV/TS: PCV measured by microhematocrit centrifugation; total solids by refractometer. Normal dog PCV 37–55%, cat 30–45%.

Blood smear evaluation: assess RBC morphology (size, color, shape), platelet estimate (approximately 1 platelet per 100× field × 15,000/µL), and WBC differential.

Urinalysis: specific gravity by refractometer; pH, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, and bilirubin by dipstick; sediment examined at 10× and 40× magnification.

CBC parameters: HCT, Hgb, RBC count, MCV, MCHC, WBC count with differential, and platelet count; reticulocyte count distinguishes regenerative from nonregenerative anemia.

Serum biochemistry: BUN and creatinine for renal function; ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT for hepatic; glucose, electrolytes, and albumin for metabolic status.

Coagulation tests: PT evaluates extrinsic and common pathways; PTT evaluates intrinsic and common pathways; both prolonged suggests common pathway or multiple factor deficiency.

Fecal flotation uses zinc sulfate or sugar solution to concentrate parasite eggs; direct smear is useful for motile trophozoites but less sensitive.

Culture and susceptibility: collect with sterile swab, transport medium, and label; results guide antibiotic selection and reduce resistance.

Vital signs: dog temperature 100.5–102.5°F (38–39.2°C); cat 100.5–102.5°F; heart rate dog 60–160 bpm, cat 140–220 bpm; respiratory rate dog 10–30/min, cat 20–30/min.

Body condition score (BCS) 1–9: 1 = emaciated, 5 = ideal, 9 = obese; assess rib palpation, waist, and abdominal tuck.

Pain assessment uses the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale or Colorado State University Canine Acute Pain Scale; physiologic signs include tachycardia, hypertension, and pupil dilation.

Fluid therapy: maintenance ≈ 2–3 mL/kg/hr or 50–60 mL/kg/day; replace deficits over 6–24 hours; monitor for overhydration (serous nasal discharge, chemosis, weight gain).

Nutritional support: resting energy requirement (RER) = 70 × (BW kg)^0.75; illness energy requirement (IER) = RER × 1.0–1.4 depending on condition.

Wound management: lavage with sterile saline, débridement of necrotic tissue, and appropriate dressing selection (hydrocolloid, foam, or alginate) based on exudate level.

Bandaging principles: primary layer contacts wound, secondary absorbs, tertiary holds; check for swelling, odor, and slippage; change at least every 24–72 hours.

Medication administration: oral (pill, liquid), topical, otic, ophthalmic, injectable; always verify the five rights: patient, drug, dose, route, and time.

Triage categories: red (immediate, life-threatening), yellow (urgent, stable), green (nonurgent); reassess every 5–15 minutes for red and yellow patients.

CPR: compressions at 100–120/min, depth 1/3 to 1/2 chest width, allow full recoil; ventilate at 10 breaths/min with 10 mL/kg tidal volume; use capnography to guide quality.

Shock: recognize tachycardia, pale mucous membranes, prolonged CRT (>2 s), weak pulses, and hypotension; initial bolus 10–20 mL/kg crystalloid or 3–5 mL/kg colloid.

Anaphylaxis: epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV or 0.02 mg/kg IM; fluid resuscitation; antihistamines and corticosteroids are adjuncts, not first-line.

Gastric dilatation-volvulus: decompress with orogastric tube or trocarization, then fluid therapy and surgery; do not delay decompression for radiographs in unstable patients.

Toxicology: decontamination (emesis induction with apomorphine or hydrogen peroxide 3%, activated charcoal), then antidote and supportive care; never induce emesis in caustic ingestion or altered mentation.

Emergency drugs: atropine 0.04 mg/kg, epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV, lidocaine 2 mg/kg (dogs), naloxone 0.04 mg/kg, and dextrose 0.5–1 g/kg for hypoglycemia.

Monitoring in critical care: ECG, blood pressure (Doppler or oscillometric), pulse oximetry, capnography, and serial lactate; lactate >2.5 mmol/L suggests hypoperfusion.

Heatstroke: cool with room-temperature water and fans, not ice; monitor for DIC, acute kidney injury, and hypoglycemia; target temperature 103°F (39.4°C) to avoid overshoot.

Diabetes mellitus: diagnose with persistent hyperglycemia, glucosuria, and fructosamine; insulin therapy (NPH or glargine) and monitor with glucose curves or continuous glucose monitoring.

Chronic kidney disease: IRIS staging based on creatinine and SDMA; stage 1 = nonazotemic with renal changes, stage 2 = creatinine 1.4–2.8 mg/dL, stage 3 = 2.9–5.0, stage 4 = >5.0.

Heart failure: ACVIM classification (A–D); treat with diuretics (furosemide), ACE inhibitors (enalapril), pimobendan, and spironolactone; monitor renal values and electrolytes.

Hypothyroidism in dogs: low T4 and elevated TSH; treat with levothyroxine 0.02 mg/kg BID; recheck T4 4–6 hours post-pill after 4–6 weeks.

Hyperthyroidism in cats: elevated T4; treat with methimazole, radioactive iodine, or thyroidectomy; monitor for renal disease unmasked by treatment.

Pancreatitis: diagnose with canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) or feline PLI; treat with fluid therapy, antiemetics, and analgesia; withhold food only briefly.

Epilepsy: seizure classification (idiopathic, structural, reactive); start anticonvulsants when seizures are frequent (>2 per 6 months), prolonged (>5 min), or cluster; phenobarbital and potassium bromide are common.

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia: regenerative anemia, spherocytes, positive saline agglutination; treat with immunosuppressive prednisolone and monitor for thromboembolism.

Radiographic density: air (black), fat (dark gray), soft tissue/fluid (gray), bone/mineral (white), metal (bright white).

Patient positioning: lateral recumbency for thorax and abdomen; VD or DV for thorax; lateral and VD for abdomen; always include the entire region of interest and at least two orthogonal views.

Thoracic radiography: inspiration at peak, collimate to include the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm; evaluate pulmonary pattern (alveolar, interstitial, bronchial, vascular).

Abdominal radiography: evaluate organ size and position, gastrointestinal gas pattern, radiopaque calculi, and free abdominal gas; use horizontal beam for free gas if needed.

Radiation safety: ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable); wear lead apron and thyroid shield, use dosimeter, collimate, and avoid holding patients without protection.

Ultrasound: real-time imaging of soft tissue; useful for pregnancy diagnosis, cardiac evaluation, abdominal organ assessment, and guided sampling; no ionizing radiation.

Contrast studies: barium sulfate for GI tract, iodinated contrast for IV urography and cystography; contraindicated in suspected GI perforation.

Digital radiography: exposure index guides technique; repeat only when necessary; store images per practice protocol and legal retention requirements.

Skeletal system: axial (skull, vertebral column, ribs, sternum) and appendicular (limbs); dog and cat have 13 pairs of ribs; cat has 7 cervical, 13 thoracic, 7 lumbar, 3 sacral, and 20–23 caudal vertebrae.

Muscle types: skeletal (voluntary, striated), cardiac (involuntary, striated, intercalated discs), smooth (involuntary, nonstriated).

Cardiovascular: heart has four chambers; right side pumps to lungs, left side to systemic circulation; normal conduction begins at the sinoatrial node.

Respiratory: upper tract (nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea) and lower tract (bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli); gas exchange occurs in alveoli.

Digestive: monogastric; stomach (fundus, body, pylorus), small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), large intestine (cecum, colon, rectum); cats are obligate carnivores.

Urinary: kidneys (cortex, medulla, pelvis), ureters, bladder, urethra; nephron is the functional unit; glomerular filtration rate reflects renal function.

Endocrine: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreas, and gonads; hormones regulate metabolism, growth, and reproduction.

Nervous: central (brain, spinal cord) and peripheral (somatic and autonomic); autonomic divided into sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest).

Low-stress handling: minimize restraint, use treats and pheromones, avoid eye contact and looming, and allow the animal to approach; use towels and gentle pressure for cats.

Restraint methods: lateral recumbency, sternal recumbency, standing restraint, and chemical restraint when necessary; always protect the airway and monitor respiration.

Muzzle use: appropriate for dogs with unknown temperament; do not use in brachycephalic breeds or animals with respiratory distress or vomiting.

Behavioral assessment: observe body posture, ear position, tail carriage, pupil dilation, and vocalization; fear and aggression are distinct responses.

Socialization period: dogs 3–16 weeks; cats 2–7 weeks; positive experiences during this period reduce fear and aggression later.

Enrichment: species-appropriate toys, scratching posts for cats, exercise, and social contact; reduces stress and stereotypic behavior in hospital and home settings.

Zoonotic disease prevention: hand hygiene, PPE, isolation of infectious patients, and vaccination of staff and animals.

Euthanasia: pre-sedation, appropriate restraint, and confirmation of death by auscultation and corneal reflex; handle remains per practice protocol.

Veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is required for prescribing medication and making a diagnosis; established by examination and ongoing care.

Record keeping: maintain accurate, legible, and contemporaneous medical records; retain per state law (often 3–5 years) and provide copies on request.

Controlled substances: DEA registration, secure storage, inventory logs, and reporting of theft or loss; Schedule II requires separate handling and no refills.

Informed consent: explain diagnosis, treatment options, risks, benefits, and costs; document client consent in the record.

Confidentiality: protect client and patient information; release only with consent or as required by law.

Professional ethics: practice within scope of training, refer when appropriate, avoid conflicts of interest, and maintain continuing education.

OSHA: bloodborne pathogen exposure control plan, PPE, sharps disposal, and hepatitis B vaccination offered to staff.

Billing and estimates: provide written estimates before procedures; document approved changes and payment agreements.